Secret Spaces: Playtime by the Shore or Tucked in the Woods

Many thanks to Jill for sending us these last two "Secret Space" ideas (and remember to comment on one of our Secret Space posts by August 9th in order to be entered to win a Fun Pass and other goodies!):

First, by the Shore:

If you're planning to spend a day in Plymouth with the kids, there is a good playground located off of Route 3A where you can stop and let them run around for a while. 

Coming from historic Plymouth with the ocean on your right, pass Benny's and take the first right after that  ... not sure the street name.  Take that right and just go straight. You'll see the ocean. The road curves to the right, but go straight into the parking area. You'll see the playground.

There's a field on the left where people tend to play volley ball and a field on the right with trees around the perimeter offering the only shade there.  There is a decent (not awesome, but good) playground on sand, and an area under the jungle gym where kids can bring their sand toys and play protected from the sun. This area is good for kids ages 3 to 10, I'd say.  Off to the side, there's a small little tunnel slide and double slide with a shaded platform to climb up on that's good for the little ones.  There are a few swings, but I think 3 of them are baby swings.

There is a snack bar where you can get ice cream and some lunch treats and there are public bathrooms there.

You can also walk over to the rocky beach to collect shells and wade out , even swim if you go out far enough.   It's very calm, no waves, and good for the kids. Wear Crocs or sandals though, because it's very rocky.   Not the type of beach to set up a blanket and make sand castles but it is really beautiful!

 

(BTW, you would not reach this playground if you were out strolling along the main drag in Plymouth.  It is tucked off to the side, so follow the driving directions above).

Second, Tucked in the Woods:

There's also a cool playground in Bridgewater, MA on Flagg street off of Route 18.  Turn down Flagg Street and go straight through a stop sign; it is about a quarter of a mile on the right.

Look for the generic street sign with the symbol of two kids on a sea saw on the right, and it's immediately after that (be careful, or you might drive by it).   The playground is in the woods, so it's very comfortable on a hot day.  It is set up like a fortress: all wood and recycled tires with little tunnels and towers and bridges.

It's a little run down here and there, but it's a different kind of play ground from the ones you usually see and kids can have a ball exploring and pretending.  There are lots of sitting areas for adults and a fun place for a picnic.   Only about 4 swings.  For ages 3 to 13.

Comments

[mrs. q.]

We have yet to try this one. We found another great spot (Gray's Beach) when we went too far down Rte. 3A in Kingston. Cute playground, small beach and a snack bar. Apparently this is a resident-only beach, but one of the super-friendly natives said they don't often check stickers. Again, the people were soooo nice and welcoming there, even after my son "watered" the plants near the parking lot.